Section Symposium
Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology
Science Policy
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Johnalyn Gordon (she/her/hers)
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Angela Sierras
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Jerrod Penn
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Zachary DeVries
Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Cockroaches are a persistent issue in subsidized and low-income housing. Historical and more recent studies indicate that residents implement control efforts on their own to deal with cockroaches within their homes. These consumer-grade insecticide gel baits, found on the shelves of most big box retailers and home improvement stores, are often recommended as a viable “DIY” solution for residents who do not have access professional pest control services. While efficacy of cockroach baits, both professional and consumer grade products, are well documented in lab studies, how these products stack up in the home environment, where competitive food sources and extensive harborage locations may exist, has not been explored. This research represents an assessment of true field efficacy of these consumer-grade cockroach bait products within homes.